Band dynamic switching between two bus standards

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, an electronic system includes a processor, a memory in communication with the processor, a bus in communication with the processor, an Express Card controller coupled to the bus, the Express Card controller providing an interface to an external device, a USB3 controller coupled to the bus and in communication with the Express Card controller, and a PCIE controller coupled to the bus and in communication with the Express Card controller. The Express Card controller may be configured to determine whether the external device is a USB3 device or a PCIE device and to switch between the USB3 controller and the PCIE controller based on the state of a USB3 select pin strap. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/928,906, filed Dec. 22, 2010.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to bus controllers and more particularly to anExpress Card controller with in-band dynamic switching between PCIE andUSB3.

BACKGROUND AND RELATED ART

ExpressCard is an interface to allow peripheral devices to be connectedto a computer. PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express,hereinafter PCIE), is a computer expansion card standard. UniversalSerial Bus (USB) is a specification to establish communication betweendevices and a host controller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription of preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference numerals generally refer to the sameparts throughout the drawings. The drawings are not necessarily toscale, the emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a bus controller in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic system in accordance withsome embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is another flow diagram in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 5 is another flow diagram in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 is another flow diagram in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 7 is another flow diagram in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of another bus controller in accordance withsome embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 is another flow diagram in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of another bus controller in accordance withsome embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and notlimitation, specific details are set forth such as particularstructures, architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of theinvention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the arthaving the benefit of the present disclosure that the various aspects ofthe invention may be practiced in other examples that depart from thesespecific details. In certain instances, descriptions of well knowndevices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure thedescription of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

With reference to FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention a bus controller 10 may include a first controller 11providing an interface to an external device, a second controller 13 incommunication with the first controller 11, the second controller 13providing an interface to an internal bus 14 in accordance with a firstbus standard, a third controller 15 in communication with the firstcontroller 11, the third controller 15 providing an interface to aninternal bus 14 in accordance with a second bus standard, and adetection circuit 16 in communication with the first controller 11. Forexample, the detection circuit 16 may be configured to detect whetherthe external device communicates in accordance with first bus standardor the second bus standard. For example, the first controller 11 may beconfigured to switch between the second and third controllers 13, 15based on the information provided from the detection circuit 16.

For example, the first controller 11 may include a multiplexer (MUX) toselect between signals received from the second and third controllers13, 15. For example, the interface to the external device may include anexternal connector or port. For example, the detection circuit 16 may beconnected to the external port and use a signal received from theexternal port to provide a selection signal to the MUX in the firstcontroller 11.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the firstcontroller 11 may provide hot removal support for the external device toswitch between the second and third controllers 13, 15 regardless of thefirst controller state while maintaining compliance to the respectivefirst and second bus standards. For example, the first controller 11 mayinclude an Express Card controller, the second controller 13 may includea Universal Serial Bus specification 3.0 (USB3) controller, and thethird controller 15 may include Peripheral Component InterconnectExpress (PCIE) controller.

In some embodiments of the invention, for example, the detection circuit16 may include an Express Card strap controller connected to a USB3select pin strap (e.g. on an Express Card 2.0 port). For example, thefirst controller 11 may be configured to monitor the pin strap value. Ifthe pin strap value changes, the first controller 11 may request thecurrent controller of the bus interface to release ownership, and thefirst controller 11 may then transfer ownership of the bus interface tothe other controller.

For example, in some embodiments of the invention, if the ownership ofthe bus interface changes from USB3 to PCIE the Express Card controller11 may be configured to deassert a USB3-allocated signal, receive adeasserted acknowledgement signal from the USB3 controller, and assert aPCIE link enable signal to pass ownership to the PCIE controller. If theownership of the bus interface changes from PCIE to USB3 the ExpressCard controller 11 may be configured to request the PCIE controller tomove to a PCIE Detect.Quiet state with a PCIE link disable request,receive an acknowledgement of the link disable request from the PCIEcontroller after the transition of the PCIE controller to DetectQuietstate, and assert a USB3-allocated signal to pass ownership to the USB3controller.

With reference to FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention an electronic system 20 may include a processor 21, a memory22 in communication with the processor 21, and a bus 23 in communicationwith the processor 21. The electronic system 20 may further include anExpress Card controller 24 coupled to the bus 23, the Express Cardcontroller 24 providing an interface to an external device, a USB3controller 25 coupled to the bus 23 and in communication with theExpress Card controller 24, and a PCIE controller 26 coupled to the bus23 and in communication with the Express Card controller 24. Forexample, the interface to the external device may include and ExpressCard 2.0 port. For example, the Express Card controller 24 may beconfigured to determine whether the external device is a USB3 device ora PCIE device and to switch between the USB3 controller 25 and the PCIEcontroller 26 based on the state of a USB3 select pin strap.

For example, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention, theExpress Card controller 24 may provide hot removal support for theexternal device to switch between the USB3 and PCIE controllers 25, 26regardless of the Express Card controller state while maintainingcompliance to respective USB3 and PCIE bus standards. For example, theExpress Card controller 24 may be configured to monitor the pin strapvalue. If the pin strap value changes, the Express Card controller 24may request the current controller of the bus interface to releaseownership, and then the Express Card controller may transfer ownershipof the bus interface to the other controller.

For example, if the ownership of the bus interface changes from USB3 toPCIE the Express Card controller 24 may be configured to deassert aUSB3-allocated signal, receive a deasserted acknowledgement signal fromthe USB3 controller 25, and assert a PCIE link enable signal to passownership to the PCIE controller 26. For example, if the ownership ofthe bus interface changes from PCIE to USB3 the Express Card controller24 may be configured to request the PCIE controller 26 to move to a PCIEDetect.Quiet state with a PCIE link disable request, receive anacknowledgement of the link disable request from the PCIE controller 26after the transition of the PCIE controller 26 to DetectQuiet state, andassert a USB3-allocated signal to pass ownership to the USB3 controller25.

FIG. 2 shows the USB3 controller 25, PCIE controller 26 and processor 21connected to the same bus 23 for illustration purposes only. Forexample, the bus 23 may be an internal bus within a chipset component.In some systems the processor 21, USB3 controller 26, and/or PCIEcontroller 26 may be connected to one or more different internal buses(e.g. which may be in communication with each other through variousbridge components). Externally, the USB3 and PCIE controllers 25, 26 maybe multiplexed onto a single Express Card 2.0 port for connection toExpress Card 2.0 devices.

With reference to FIG. 3, in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention, a method of operating a bus interface may include providing afirst interface to an external device (e.g. at block 30), providing asecond interface from the first interface to an internal bus inaccordance with a first bus standard (e.g. at block 31), providing athird interface from the first interface to an internal bus inaccordance with a second bus standard (e.g. at block 32), detectingwhether the external device communicates in accordance with first busstandard or the second bus standard (e.g. at block 33), and switchingbetween the second and third interfaces based on whether the externaldevice is detected to communicate in accordance with the first busstandard or the second bus standard (e.g. at block 34).

For example, some embodiments of the invention may further includeproviding hot removal support for the external device (e.g. at block35), and switching between the second and third interfaces regardless ofa first interface state while maintaining compliance to the respectivefirst and second bus standards (e.g. at block 36). For example, thefirst interface may include an Express Card interface, the secondinterface may include a USB3 interface, and the third interface mayinclude a PCIE interface (e.g. at block 37).

With reference to FIG. 4, in some embodiments of the invention,detecting whether the external device communicates in accordance withthe first bus standard or the second bus standard may include detectinga state of a USB3 select pin strap (e.g. at block 40). Some embodimentsof the invention may further include monitoring the pin strap value(e.g. at block 41), if the pin strap value changes, requesting thecurrent bus interface to release ownership (e.g. at block 42),transferring ownership of the bus interface to the other bus interface(e.g. at block 43).

With reference to FIG. 5, if the ownership of the bus interface changesfrom USB3 to PCIE (e.g. at block 50), some embodiments of the inventionmay further include deasserting a USB3-allocated signal (e.g. at block51), receiving a deasserted acknowledgement signal from the USB3interface (e.g. at block 52), and asserting a PCIE link enable signal topass ownership to the PCIE interface (e.g. at block 53).

With reference to FIG. 6, if the ownership of the bus interface changesfrom PCIE to USB3 (e.g. at block 60), some embodiments of the inventionmay further include requesting the PCIE interface to move to a PCIEDetect.Quiet state with a PCIE link disable request (e.g. at block 61),receiving an acknowledgement of the link disable request from the PCIEinterface after the transition of the PCIE interface to DetectQuietstate (e.g. at block 62), and asserting a USB3-allocated signal to passownership to the USB3 interface (e.g. at block 63).

Advantageously, some embodiments of the invention may provide a methodand apparatus for in-band dynamic switching between PCIE and USB3connected to Express Card 2.0. For purposes of illustration and notlimitation, the Express Card 2.0 specification may require the abilityto support both PCIE and USB3 on the same x1 controller slot/lane. Insome systems, the USB3 pins may be shared with the PCIE pins at theExpress Card connector, where they may be multiplexed internally androuted to the connector as a single set of Transmit and Receive pins.Advantageously, some embodiments of the invention may solve the problemof being able to switch between the PCIE and USB3 controllers regardlessof controller link states due to hot removal support while stillmaintaining compliance to the respective PCIE and USB3 specification.For example, some embodiments of the invention may provide a mechanismto detect whether the inserted express card contains a PCIE device or aUSB3 device.

In some embodiments of the invention, dynamic switching between PCIExpress and USB3 may be implemented via an ExpressCard USB3# select pinstrap. For example, the USB3# input pin may be pulled low by a connectedUSB3 device. In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, ifthe ExpressCard USB3# strap signal is ‘0’ when a device is detected,then that device may be presumed to be operating in USB3 Mode.Otherwise, the device may be presumed to be operating in PCI Expressmode.

In some embodiments of the invention, an ExpressCard Strap controllermay observe the USB3# select pin. For example, the ExpressCard Strapcontroller may function as a multiplex selector to the USB3 controllerand PCIE controller. If the pin strap value changes, the ExpressCardStrap controller may issue a request to the present occupant of the busto move to the RxDetect.Quiet state of the USB3 link state or theDetect.Quiet state of PCIE link state, respectively. When the presentbus owner has completed this request, the present bus owner may giveownership of the link over to the ExpressCard Strap controller.

The ExpressCard strap controller may then change the interface mode andgive control to the new controller selected by the USB3# select strap.The ExpressCard Strap controller may ensure that the interface isswitched to its required power state corresponding to the receivertermination detection sequence. For example, the ExpressCard Strapcontroller may switch the operating signal/data rate to the correctsetting prior to hand-over to the new controller.

With reference to FIG. 7, some embodiments of the invention may involvea state machine for the ExpressCard Strap controller. For example,starting in PCIE mode (e.g. at block 71), switching to USB3 mode mayinvolve the ExpressCard controller detecting the USB3# strap signalchanging from ‘1’ to ‘0’. The ExpressCard Strap controller may requestthe current PCIE controller to move back to the PCIE Detect.Quiet statevia the PCIE link disable flow (e.g. at block 72, described in moredetail in connection with FIG. 9). The PCIE controller will subsequentlyacknowledge the link disable request after completing transition toDetectQuiet state. The ExpressCard controller passes ownership to theUSB3 controller by asserting the USB3-allocated signal (e.g. moving fromPCIE mode to USB3 mode at block 73). The ExpressCard ownership may bechanged to USB3 and the signaling rate may be changed, for example, to 5GT/s. The USB3 controller acknowledges after claiming ownership and thenoperates in USB3 mode (e.g. at block 74).

Switching from USB3 to PCIE (e.g. starting from USB3 mode in block 74)may involve the ExpressCard controller detecting the USB3# strap signalchanging from ‘0’ to ‘1’. The ExpressCard Strap controller may thenrequest the current USB3 controller to release ownership (e.g. bydeasserting USB3-allocated signal at block 75). The USB3 controller maythen transition to the RxDetect.Quiet state and informs the ExpressCardcontroller by deasserting the acknowledgement signal. Finally, theExpressCard controller passes ownership to the PCIE controller byasserting the link enable signal (e.g. moving from USB3 mode to PCIEmode at block 76). The ExpressCard ownership may be changed to PCIE andthe signaling rate may be changed, for example, to 2.5 GT/s. Theinterface may then operate in the PCIE mode (e.g. back at block 71).

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the state machinemay provide no case where the switching can be done between PCIE andUSB3 or vice versa without the appropriate interface state change,except possibly coming out of a system reset (which can be handled byappropriate power on/reset procedure to initialize the state machine).Downstream from the USB3 and/or PCIE controllers, internal buses may notoperate according to the respective USB3/PCIE specifications. Forexample, some internal buses may include where the transaction layer isconnected to and may follow some internal bus protocol.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, an example handshake between anEpxressCard Controller 82 and PCIE controller 84 is illustrated, withFIG. 9 detailing an example PCIE link disable flow. The PCIE linkdisable request may transition the present PCIE LTSSM state to theDetect.Quiet state directly, or, via Disabled state. The ExpressCardStrap controller may request for PCIE Link disable in the PCIEConfiguration.Linkwidthstart state or the Recovery.Idle state. The PCIELTSSM will move to the Disabled state and then subsequently be directedto the Detect.Quiet state.

The ExpressCard Strap controller may also request for PCIE Link disablein the steady state L0 or lower power link states. The PCIE LTSSM willmove to the Recovery state and then subsequently be directed to theDetect.Quiet state. The ExpressCard Strap controller may also requestfor PCIE Link disable in other link training states such as Polling orConfiguration (other than Linkwidthstart). The PCIE LTSSM may transitiondirectly to the Detect.Quiet state.

With reference to FIG. 10, an example handshake between an ExpressCardcontroller 102 and a USB3 controller 104 is illustrated. The ExpressCardcontroller 102 may assert a USB3-allocated signal. The USB3 controller104 may return a USB3-allocated acknowledge signal.

Advantageously, some embodiments of the invention may be integrated in achipset platform and use an ExpressCard USB3# select pin strap for thedynamic switching between PCI Express and USB3 cards. For example, inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention an ExpressCard Strapcontroller may monitor the USB3# select pin and interact with both thePCI Express and USB3 controllers. For example, the PCIE controller mayrelease the ExpressCard ownership to USB3 via the PCIE Link Disableflow, which is fully compliant to the PCIE Base Specification 2.0.Advantageoulsy, some embodiments of the invention may provide supportfor both PCIE and USB3 ExpressCards through a single physical lane. Forexample, some embodiments of the invention may integrate the PCIE andUSB3 controller sharing using the PHY Interface for the PCI Express andUSB Architectures (PIPE) interface. Advantageously, some embodiments ofthe invention may provide a detection mechanism that allows andfacilitates hot swapping (plug/removal) of PCIE and USB3 devices withoutrequiring the platform to be powered down and/or without softwareintervention while swapping dynamically between PCIE and USB3.

The foregoing and other aspects of the invention are achievedindividually and in combination. The invention should not be construedas requiring two or more of such aspects unless expressly required by aparticular claim. Moreover, while the invention has been described inconnection with what is presently considered to be the preferredexamples, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited tothe disclosed examples, but on the contrary, is intended to covervarious modifications and equivalent arrangements included within thespirit and the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bus controller comprising: a first controllerproviding an interface to an external device; a second controller incommunication with the first controller, the second controller providingan interface to an internal bus in accordance with a first bus standard;and a third controller in communication with the first controller, thethird controller providing an interface to an internal bus in accordancewith a second bus standard, wherein the first controller is toautomatically switch ownership to the second controller in response to adetermination that the external device communicates in accordance withthe first bus standard when the external device is coupled with thefirst controller and is to automatically switch ownership to the thirdcontroller in response to a determination that the external devicecommunicates in accordance with the second bus standard when theexternal device is coupled with the first controller.
 2. The buscontroller of claim 1, wherein the determination that the externaldevice communicates in accordance with the first bus standard and thedetermination that the external device communicates in accordance withthe second bus standard are to be made by one or more of a detectioncircuit and the first controller.
 3. The bus controller of claim 2,wherein the first controller is to include a multiplexer to selectbetween a signal from the second controller and the third controller,and wherein the detection circuit is to be coupled with a port for theexternal device and is to provide a selection signal to the multiplexerbased on a signal from the port when the external device is coupled withthe port.
 4. The bus controller of claim 1, wherein the determinationthat the external device communicates in accordance with the first busstandard and the determination that the external device communicates inaccordance with the second bus standard are to be based on a binaryvalue generated when the external device is coupled with the firstcontroller.
 5. The bus controller of claim 4, wherein the binary valueis to be associated with a signal generated when the external devicepulls an input pin.
 6. The bus controller of clam 4, wherein theexternal device is to be determined to communicate in accordance withthe first bus standard when the binary value is one value and theexternal device is to be determined to communicate in accordance withthe second bus standard when the binary value is another value.
 7. Thebus controller of clam 1, wherein the first controller is toautomatically switch a signaling rate to maintain compliance to therespective first and second bus standards.
 8. The bus controller of clam7, wherein the signaling rate is to be switched before the firstcontroller is to switch ownership.
 9. A method comprising: providing afirst controller providing an interface to an external device; providinga second controller in communication with the first controller, thesecond controller providing an interface to an internal bus inaccordance with a first bus standard; and providing a third controllerin communication with the first controller, the third controllerproviding an interface to an internal bus in accordance with a secondbus standard, wherein the first controller automatically switchesownership to the second controller in response to a determination thatthe external device communicates in accordance with the first busstandard when the external device is coupled with the first controllerand automatically switches ownership to the third controller in responseto a determination that the external device communicates in accordancewith the second bus standard when the external device is coupled withthe first controller.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein thedetermination that the external device communicates in accordance withthe first bus standard and the determination that the external devicecommunicates in accordance with the second bus standard are made by oneor more of a detection circuit and the first controller.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein the first controller includes a multiplexerselecting between a signal from the second controller and the thirdcontroller, and wherein the detection circuit is coupled with a port forthe external device and provides a selection signal to the multiplexerbased on a signal from the port when the external device is coupled withthe port.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the determination that theexternal device communicates in accordance with the first bus standardand the determination that the external device communicates inaccordance with the second bus standard are based on a binary valuegenerated when the external device is coupled with the first controller.13. The method of claim 12, wherein the binary value is associated witha signal generated when the external device pulls an input pin.
 14. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the external device is determined tocommunicate in accordance with the first bus standard when the binaryvalue is one value and the external device is determined to communicatein accordance with the second bus standard when the binary value isanother value.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the first controllerautomatically switches a signaling rate to maintain compliance to therespective first and second bus standards.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the signaling rate is switched before the first controller is toswitch ownership.
 17. A system comprising: a processor; a memory incommunication with the processor; a bus in communication with theprocessor; a first controller providing an interface to an externaldevice; a second controller in communication with the first controller,the second controller providing an interface to the bus in accordancewith a first bus standard; and a third controller in communication withthe first controller, the third controller providing an interface to thebus in accordance with a second bus standard, wherein the firstcontroller is to automatically switch ownership to the second controllerin response to a determination that the external device communicates inaccordance with the first bus standard when the external device iscoupled with the first controller and is to automatically switchownership to the third controller in response to a determination thatthe external device communicates in accordance with the second busstandard when the external device is coupled with the first controller.18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first controller is to include amultiplexer to select between a signal from the second controller andthe third controller, and wherein a detection circuit is to be coupledwith a port for the external device and is to provide a selection signalto the multiplexer based on a signal from the port when the externaldevice is coupled with the port.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein thedetermination that the external device communicates in accordance withthe first bus standard and the determination that the external devicecommunicates in accordance with the second bus standard are to be basedon a binary value generated when the external device is coupled with thefirst controller.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the firstcontroller is to automatically switch a signaling rate to maintaincompliance to the respective first and second bus standards.